10 Unique Transport Modes Around the World

Sailing on an ancient junk boat in Vietnam, riding a rickshaw in Japan or seeing the pyramids on camels – there are thousands of strange and oddly intriguing forms of transportation around the world. Inspired by my hero Charley Boorman who travelled from Ireland to Sydney using 112 modes of transport on TV series ‘By Any Means’, I’m piecing a post together on the 10 most unique transportation means.

1. Bamboo Train, Cambodia

Between Battambang and Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, you’ll find this interesting train, cobbled together with a wooden frame, bamboo planking, an upright engine and reused military tank wheels. As basic it looks, it can haul passengers and cargo from one city to the next. Known as ‘norry’ in Khmer, it uses the spur lines, which means when a real train comes puffing, get ready to jump off your ride!

2. Tuktuk, India

These motorized three-wheelers are used all over Asia – originally from Thailand, they then spread to Laos, Cambodia, Pakistan and India. Although Bangkok is the pioneer in the tuktuk industry, it’s India where traffic-swerving drivers and chaotic road conditions make it a thrilling ride. Whether you are looking for good food in Bangalore or going shopping in New Delhi, hop on for some fun. A tuktuk can usually accommodation two persons and a suitcase.

3. Junk Boat, Hongkong

Along Hongkong’s Victoria Harbour, the nation’s signature junk boats float against a backdrop of skyscraping offices. These Chinese sailboats date from ancient times, specifically the Han Dynasty. Today, they are converted into sunset boats and booze cruises for tourists and locals seeking a breathe of fresh air.

4. Elephant Trekking, Thailand

Before Phuket was developed into a tourist hub, wild elephants used to roam its dense forests and rolling hills. Today, their numbers are dwindling. Instead of lounging by the beach all day, travelers can explore the area inland on elephant tours.

These elephant trekking tours offer a much-needed lift to the tourism industry, and generate the funds to assure the survival of thousands of elephants in a dignified manner. Be sure to go with ethnical operators who ensure the elephants are well taken care of.

5. Zorb, New Zealand

The zorb is the sport of rolling down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball, cushioned by a thick layer of air. New Zealand first brought us bungee-jumping, white-water raftin, skydiving and now this! There’s a range of rides to choose from – from wet to dry, individual to multi-person or zigzag rides. As the kiwis call it, globe riding sure is an interesting way to find your way round New Zealand.

6. Dog Sleds, Norway

There aren’t many places where you can do this. In Northern Norway, close to the Arctic Circle, you can embark on dog-sledding trips that bring you through gorgeous winter landscapes. Every participant will lead your own team of four or six dogs, and swish across scenic routes. Many trips are organized in the Saltfjellet – Svartisen national park and Jotunheimen National Park, where overnight stays in wooden lodges can be included.

7. Totora Boat, Peru

On the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the Uros tribes weave their homes and transportation with reeds – or totora in their tribal language – found in the lake. Built to resemble the shape of a dragon, it is said that the boats were used to ward off evil in ancient Inca times. These incredibly light but resistant boats sail out swiftly on the calm lake, making transport for the locals easy and convenient.

8. Chicken Bus, Guatemala

Guatemala’s public buses are nicknamed the ‘chicken buses’ for the hectic and tight conditions where passengers are crammed into these old U.S. school buses alongside chicken and goats. For the intrepid travelers seeking a little adventure, it’s quite an interesting way to get under the skin of the country. Some chicken buses are decked out in neon signs or voodoo posters, but all pose the same thrill. Be warned – petty crimes have been reported on these buses.

9. Felucca, Egypt

These traditional Egyptian sailboats have remained, over the centuries, the primary transportation of the Nile River in Egypt. Its ancient form still graces the river as it has done since the time of the Pharaohs.

These days, both locals and foreigners enjoy a relaxing ride on the felucca, basking under the sun or catching the sunset. Travelers can also take a multi-day felucca ride from Luxor to Aswan and back.

10. Camel back, Jordan

Riding on a camelback through the red-rose deserts of Wadi Rum is one of the highlights of Jordan. Since ancient times, camels have always been the one of the most useful transport tools in the Jordanian history. Travelers can go on a 3-day camel safari trip that includes camping with Bedouins and exploring archaeological sites.

Sare with us your experience below: Have you tried any of these transportations? Are there any other transport mode that you’ve been on?

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About Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the co-founder of WildJunket. As a professional travel writer with a special interest in offgrid destinations and adventure travel, she scours through the world in search for a slice of undiscovered paradise. In her quest, she's climbed an active volcano in Guatemala, swam with sealions in the Galapagos and built a school in Tanzania.

I've never heard of toboggans in Madeira, gotta read up on that! I researched abit on tuk-tuks but couldn't really find where it originated from. The Italian Ape definitely resembles the tuktuk, first appearing in 1948. Well thanks for the info, good to learn more!

I'm happy to see somebody mentioned Madeira toboggan sled ride! I've been on it and it was so much fun! Pretty much we sit on a wicker sled for 2, and 2 guys will stand behind us for stirring. Sometimes they ran, sometimes they just stand on the back wicker platform (don't know what it's called). It's going downhill in roads, including passing intersection (thank goodness cars stopped for us), moving through wavy alley, so much fun. It's one direction journey though, it can't go uphill :)

That Zorb device looks to be a thrilling ride. One of my favorite things to ride are local “matatu” mini buses in Nairobi outfitted with blaring bass filled hip hop music, murals of random famous people, and flashing disco lights.

I've done the tuk tuks in Bangkok, camel ride and felucca in Egypt, elephant ride in Thailand, top of a train in Ecuador, dog sledding and pony trekking in Iceland. Saw zorbing on the Amazing Race way back. Would love to try that! I never thought to compile this kind of list. But I DO write about solo travel adventures at http://www.boldlygosolo.com and it includes a lot of these kinds of adventures. A future post will have to focus on transportation!

Might as well commenting again, I love this article of yours! I've rode an Indonesian ojek before. It's pretty much a motorcycle ride, you pay the driver to take you somewhere. One customer only per ojek.

In Santorini, people usually approach by water. The city is on much higher elevation than the dock. One of the options how to go up is by donkey ride. I don't have other donkey ride experience, but these donkeys of Santorini have this annoying hobby to walk really close to the road edge. Your choice is between having your knees scraped by the stone road wall or wondering whether the donkey will fall the cliff when it walks on other road edge. It sometimes also slips on donkey droppings that pretty much cover the whole way. But I love it :)

LOL I had the same donkey experience, but it was in Jordan, visiting the Petra. The poor donkey had to carry my weight up and down steep rocky slopes and many times, I thought we were both gonna fall! But it turned out to be an amusing experience.

Santorini is so pretty, isn’t it? We rented a car to get around instead, some of the best times I’ve had. :)

the Zorb is really impressive, I would love to try it myself when in my next visit to Oceania!! There is one more odd transport mode it came into my mind which I experienced a few years ago, …but can't think of the name now…will add it later… :)

Since I'm from Indonesia originally, I've been in the Indonesian Tuk Tuk. We call it helicak. There we also have many other unusual means of transportation, nearly everyday I used "becak". You might be familiar with this since you are from Singapore? (I read that from your profile).

I've rode Camel in Egypt, very weird sensation when the camel changed position from lay down to stand up. I thought it was going to throw me off!

Riding elephants up into the jungle of Thailand and then camping on the river. I mean on the river in a house boat is a dream weekend. It is challenging and exhausting, though when you return to your homely comforts this trip will remain in the memory forever. A bit like an elephant.

Those in India looks like the tricycle of the Philippines, I was expecting a post from a "Jeepney" ride in Manila, Philippines. Its cheap and you can catch lung cancer after riding it because of the pollution, but its quite a ride because you can totally indulge in their culture by just riding one. Aside from that, I think I prefer vehicle rides, at least the handlers can have spare parts if something is broken. Unlike those done with animals, I've heard that some are even mistreated very bad.

This is a great list. I work for a tour operator and I have only been fortunate enough to try out the dog sledding (I did it on one of our tours to the Lapland Igloo Village. It was exhilarating and I loved it. That said I am jealous that I haven't tried more and I will be lobbying to offer some of these modes of transport on our tours so I can try more!

I'd never heard of the Bamboo Train before. I would have to add "riding in the passenger seat while my significant other is driving" to the list — it adds a whole new level of terror to the experience.

This is great – I would like to see people Zorbing through Hollywood instead of driving like they have a death wish…the city would be a much more magical (and safe) place. New Zealanders know what is up!

I would vote for the elephant and the zorb. However, a pletna is an awesome boat used on Lake Bled, Slovenia. These are hand crafted and generations of men in a family are the ones to steer these boats.

I cant say that I have tried many of these but I do have friends that have Zorbed and said it was more suffocating then anything. The chicken busses can be rode anywhere in the Central Americas. By the way if a Zorb is on the list I think that ZIP LINING should be as well. Canopy tours are definite the best way to view the jungles. Great list though. Photos accompanying are very nice.

Between Bamboo Train and The Zorb, New Zealand. which is cooler, i think the Zorb is something you just to have to try, because the name is way cool. Do they have any close cheap hotels there while we are Zorbing?
Lol

I know previous commenters have said this but I too must see this Zorb! That looks fantastic! I remember seeing those big yellow balls in tv a few times but never knew what that was. Really nice list you have here. I think I need to start thinking about where I want to go first on this list!

I've taken a few of these transports now, but I think #1 looks the most interesting!! I'd love to try out that bamboo train!!! I hadn't even heard of it 5 mins ago, and now it's a goal for my near future ;) Thanks for sharing!

That Zorb device looks to be a fantastic drive. One of my favorite things to drive are local "matatu" small vehicles in Nairobi equipped with loud fish filled hip hop music, paintings of unique celebrities, and blinking disco lighting.

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